UMSN Celebrates Revolutionary Telehealth Tool
In the post-COVID world, there has been a paradigm shift in accessing health care. An increasing number of people use their phones for virtual consultations rather than visiting their doctor in person. Because of this trend, the importance of health care providers to successfully execute a telehealth visit has never been more important, both for themselves and for the care of their patients.
Transforming Health Care – One Visual Visit at a Time
In response to this trend, Heather Jones, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-C, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN), has launched Visual Visits™: A Provider's Guide to Training for Virtual Physical Assessments Video Series. The release was celebrated with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at UMSN.
Visual Visits™ equips providers with hands-on practical tools and training needed to conduct thorough physical exams during virtual consultations.
The series, spanning ten parts, comprises evidence-based educational videos led by Heather and a certified telehealth provider and educator, targeted for a broad range of providers including Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and Medical Doctors (MD), to name a few. The series also includes content for educators and students in the medical field.
Each module meticulously focuses on a different aspect of the telehealth physical assessment process that begins with a primer on telehealth etiquette and HIPAA considerations that set the groundwork for respectful and confidential virtual patient interactions. Each model thereafter breaks down patient and provider preparations and in-depth explorations of specific body systems.
When the video series is completed, a certificate of completion is issued.
The Inception of a Necessary Tool
Heather’s drive to develop the series was born directly out of the challenges faced by providers transitioning to telehealth consultations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Most providers, like myself, were abruptly told they needed to do telehealth visits without any kind of training or preparation,” Heather recalled. Like many others, Heather ventured into this new territory and grappled with how to conduct comprehensive assessments without the ability to physically examine patients.
“I remember being able to handle the talking part of the patient visit but when it came to the assessment, I was uncertain about how to comfortably proceed. There was definitely a disconnect,” she added.
By enabling providers to conduct more thorough and varied types of virtual visits, Heather said this tool will broaden access to high-quality medical care, especially for those in rural or underserved communities.
“The availability of primary care providers is dwindling in these parts of Michigan so giving people the access to well-qualified providers without ever leaving their home is such a huge win.”
The University of Michigan community, including all current providers, faculty, staff and students can access this resource for free by utilizing a promo code. The training is available to all others, including Michigan alumni, for a one-time fee of $50.
“I hope that everyone takes advantage of this excellent resource so we can better serve our patients.”
